Ogunquit News
Town, church consider partnering for "win-win" parking plan in Ogunquit
By C. Ayn Douglass
An estimated 28 parking spaces at St. Mary's Church on Church Street may be added to the management of the Visitors' Services Department next year as the town searches for additional parking spaces for the busy summer months.
Photo by C. Ayn Douglass
OGUNQUIT - Officials have confirmed that an agreement between St. Mary's Church and the town is in the works that will increase the number of paid parking spaces during the summer season.
In what is described as a win-win agreement for the town of Ogunquit and St. Mary's Catholic Church, the town expects to generate an additional $40,000 to $50,000 in parking revenue annually.
Those figures, estimated by Visitors' Services Director Kevin O'Neil, represent the gross amount and do not reflect what it will cost to keep a parking attendant on duty at that location or the amount St. Mary's will be paid for seasonal rental of the lot.
"We estimate there are about 28 spaces in the lot, which we'll open for those people holding permits for beach parking and that will free up spaces in Obeds for paid parking," O'Neil said. "The church parishioners wanted to open earlier than Memorial Day and stay open later than Columbus Day, but couldn't afford to pay a priest and pay a mileage stipend - seven extra weekends - so we have spoken to them about using the space and paying them for it."
Despite a slow start due to poor weather conditions in the spring and early summer, the lots generated a little over $1.3 million - an increase over last year's revenue of $1.2 million, according to Town Manager Phil Clark.
The parking revenue generated is used to reduce the property tax burden.
Beach permit holders have complained that despite having the stickers on their cars, parking, particularly this past summer, has been unavailable, and O'Neil said by restricting the lot to those who hold permits, it should lessen those complaints.
In addition, officials are considering changing the all-day parking on Cottage Street to an hourly rate.
"People just want to come in for breakfast or pick up something at the stores and right now the 28 or so parking spaces on Cottage Street are good for all day," Clark said. "We see changing the Cottage Street lot to hourly, and having an attendant oversee both the St. Mary's lot and Cottage Street lot."
Daily rates are expected to be set at a maximum of $20, and hours that the lots will be attended will be extended as well. Clark said the daily rate is variable, depending on weather and time during the season that the lots are open. The shoulder season rates are lower.
Beach lots, he said, will be manned until 5 or 6 p.m., and the lower lot hours may be extended from 4 to 8 p.m.
"There's a lot of traffic going into that lower lot after 4 p.m.," he said.
The Perkins Cove lot shut down last week - the last lot to stop charging for the season.
Next year, Clark said, the lot will permit three-hour parking at $3 per hour, as requested by the businesses in the cove that felt two hours was not enough time for visitors to enjoy the attractions the cove has to offer.
During the off-season, the hourly rate will decrease to $2 per hour on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
